Firefighters abound in the Carr family of McLean

Dell Carr is the third-generation owner and operator of the family farm started in McLean by his grandparents in 1927. Dell, who has spent his entire life in McLean, is understandably proud of his farming heritage and looks forward to celebrating the farm’s 100th birthday in a couple of years. For now, though, his pride is focused on another family legacy — four generations of firefighters in the Carr family!

Dell’s father, the late Edward L. Carr, was the first to join the McLean Fire Department (MFD) in July 1947 and served for many years. Dell joined in August 1985. He and his wife, Kathy, who is heavily involved in the MFD Auxiliary, will celebrate their 48th anniversary in August, and all three of their sons became firefighters.

“Having grown up here [in McLean], I wanted to give something back to the community,” Dell said. “I was a captain for seven years, second assistant chief for five, and I’ve been first assistant chief for two years now. I was also chairman of the fire commissioners for the McLean district for 10 years.”

The third generation of Carr firefighters

Larry is the eldest of Dell’s children, and he joined the fire department when he was still in high school in 1996. He explained that being 18 was a requirement back then, so he anxiously waited to reach that age.

“Growing up, I used to spend more time here [in the MFD] with my dad than I did at home, and it was something I wanted to be a part of,” Larry said. “I was until I married my wife, Wendy, in August 2011 and we moved to Cortland.”

Larry has spent the last eight years with the Cortlandville Fire Department as a driver and exterior firefighter. He made the point that the smaller departments in the area have a bond among themselves, so he is still very close with the MFD.

Calvin and Ken are Larry’s brothers and are twins. They also joined the MFD in 1996, but at age 14, because Calvin spearheaded the start of the MFD’s junior firefighter program that year. Both have remained steadfast members of the MFD since.

“I wanted to join because my parents were involved and I wanted to give back to my community,” Calvin said. “When I turned 18, I came up through the officer ranks quickly. I was deputy chief for 10 years; second, then first assistant chief for two years each; and I’ve been head chief now for two years.”

Calvin recently had an opportunity to give back to the community in a big way when he was having dinner with his family at Applebee’s in Cortland. A woman at the next table began choking and turning blue. Calvin jumped into action by performing the Heimlich maneuver on her numerous times, until a piece of steak lodged in her airway finally released.

“I joined [MFD] because it’s a family thing,” Ken said. “I like living on the edge, so riding to calls with my dad and watching him run into burning buildings was exciting for me. I spent 10 years as head chief, and now I’m second assistant chief. It’s nice to see relief on the faces of other departments when we help each other out, and I like the legacy with our kids being involved.”

And the fourth generation…

Calvin has been married to his wife, Deanna, for 21 years. They have a son, Connor, who is not involved in firefighting. Ken’s wife of 17 years, Jenelle, is also a member of the MFD, as is their son, Ethan. Another son, Eli, is 13, so his MFD future has yet to be determined.

Larry and Wendy’s children are Mickayla, Damon, Dalton, Sabrina, Seth, Sheldon and Sophia. Dalton recently applied to join the MFD, and Damon joined the Virgil Fire Department last September.

“I spent so much time in McLean growing up, and also with the Groton Fire Department when my dad was part of them for a while, that I just wanted to give back to the community and do what they did,” Damon said. “Everyone is very welcoming and helps you learn and become the best version of yourself.”

Ethan is 17 and still a junior firefighter, which he started at age 14. There are currently eight junior firefighters in the ranks at the MFD. Ethan spoke about some of the things he does, such as performing fire truck and equipment checks and taking department training classes to prepare for New York state fire classes.

“I wanted to [join the fire department] from watching my dad do it,” Ethan said. “You can make anyone’s day better by helping them on their worst day. They’re in need, so we help them.”

A concern Dell has is how few firefighters know how to use extrication tools, and he encourages younger members to train on that. He said the next generation needs to know how because it’s a very important skill.

Dell is extremely proud of his family’s firefighting legacy, as well as the MFD’s 1974 Brockway fire truck. He said it was one of the last trucks off the line in Cortland, and he is among the few in the MFD who can drive it.

Groton on the Inside appears every week in Tompkins Weekly. Submit story ideas to editorial@vizellamedia.com or text or call Linda at 607-227-4922. 

In brief:

History nights in McLean

Open to the public, with refreshments provided, McLean’s popular Tuesday evening history night topics have been set. All are held at the McLean Fire Hall at 7 p.m. weekly.

Here’s the schedule: 

• July 1: The 1st State Road in McLean (Part 2) by Val Ross
• July 8: Walking tour of McLean Cemetery by Liz Snyder
• July 15: Milk Bottle History
• July 22: One Room Schoolhouses in Virgil by Laurie Tibbe
• July 29: Ladies of Lisle, the First Women to Vote in New York by Laurie Tibbe

New Story Walk

Andrea Farotto’s “The Rainbow Hunters” is the new Story Walk book on the trail behind Groton Memorial Park. In this uplifting and beautifully illustrated picture book, a group of friends sets out on a journey to find the end of the rainbow. Get outside this summer and check it out!

Park pavilion rental

As you plan your summer events, don’t forget that the pavilion in Groton Memorial Park is available to rent. Call the Groton Village Office at 607-898-3966 or go to grotonny.org to reserve that special date. You will need to sign an agreement and pay a deposit.